The Gooner Forum

can't believe he was on football focus yesterday and Michael Owen said he waved and said hello to him a few days ago, whilst dropping his kids off at school and Robbie Savage spoke to him yesterday and they were joking and laughing.

I wonder if the newspapers had something bad about him, and he feared it was going to be published

seems very strange, out of the blue to just hang yourself

Prayers and thoughts go to his wife and kids. RIP Gary Speed.

Shocking news Rip

Depression is a horrible disease, too young to die.

I'm devastated. Absolutely devastated. This is a horrible loss for the footballing world and especially our Welsh national team. Can't believe such a great coach and player would be taken from us at such a young age. I won't comment on if it's suicide or not, but it is a reminder that depression is a very serious issue that goes a lot deeper than just "feeling down".

This is such tragic news. Always came across as such a gent and true professional. I feel so sorry for his wife and family. The problem is those closest to him will probably never know what caused him to take such drastic action- the pain and anguish he must have felt.

I remember so clearly the day a friend of mine did the same. I spoke and laughed and joked with him at about 4pm coming out of the school gate but less than 20 minutes later he killed himself. As I said above we and his parents never knew and never will know why he did it.

RIP Gary Speed. Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam

Shocking to hear this happened. he was a dedicated professional, always tried his best whatever game it was. The fact he kept on playing untill only last year speaks volumes about how much he loved the game. 42 is not an age to die at, whatever haunted him, whatever his breaking point was, it's sad to see him driven to such an end, especially with how well things looked and how jovial he seemed on Football Focus. He looked like he was doing well at Wales My condolences to his wife and children at this time.

RIP.

Really sad news RIP .

As someone else said, why is this tragic event being linked to depresion etc?

If people genuinely know something fine but let's not speculate if because we don't know the facts.

I heard the news this morning when I was with a good friend who happens to be Welsh . We were both stunned . When an elderly person passes away it is just part of life but at 42 you should have so much to look forward to . It's tragic for Gary Speed's friends and family . Aaron Ramsey must be devastated .

Well obviously people don't know for sure it's depression, but why would one of the most universally liked people doing probably the most proud job a welshman could do commit suicide?

Depression and anxiety are usually hidden by the sufferer through embarrassment or fear of being told to just "get over it" or "go get help then". Often they just don't know where to turn.

I disagree with the comment that he's selfish too - it's only when you have been through depression that you realise just how dark a place it actually is. Your mind just isn't focussed on other people, but for it to be selfish means you deliberately did something to spite someone else.

Lets not speculate on his death though - the police say it's non suspicious but suicide, and as he was a family man then usually this would point to depression.

Agreed.

If it was depression the only good thing that can come of this is that it will show that this illness can span all walks of life, even those to appear to have it all.

Just watching Sky Sports and you remember what a great player he was for so many years!

worthing_gooner wrote:Well obviously people don't know for sure it's depression, but why would one of the most universally liked people doing probably the most proud job a welshman could do commit suicide?

Depression and anxiety are usually hidden by the sufferer through embarrassment or fear of being told to just "get over it" or "go get help then". Often they just don't know where to turn.

I disagree with the comment that he's selfish too - it's only when you have been through depression that you realise just how dark a place it actually is. Your mind just isn't focussed on other people, but for it to be selfish means you deliberately did something to spite someone else.

Lets not speculate on his death though - the police say it's non suspicious but suicide, and as he was a family man then usually this would point to depression.

Let's not speculate...then you do exactly that!

Why don't we all just leave it until we know the facts.

Shocking news.Our thoughts are with his family

RIP Gary Speed

speaking from experience Depression can is a terrible illness